Sonography programs typically have prerequisite courses that must be completed before students can be fully admitted to the major. Although the specific requirements vary from school to school, most programs require at least one semester of anatomy and/or physiology, with some requiring two or even three semesters. These classes are generally a mixture of lecture and laboratory components intended to familiarize students with the structures of the human body before they begin formal sonography training. Other common prerequisites include math (statistics or college algebra), English composition, medical terminology, chemistry, physics, and psychology. Courses completed with a grade lower than a "C" will typically not count toward meeting prerequisite requirements.
Once prerequisites are completed, students can delve into their sonography classes. The beginning of the program typically includes an orientation course that introduces the role of a sonographer, the profession's ethical standards, and the safety issues that arise from working in the health care field. Students also take advanced classes in fields like physics, anatomy, and physiology. Classes in specific methods for abdominal, vascular, and OB/GYN ultrasounds round out the standard curriculum. Along with lectures, many classes have a laboratory component where students can observe and practice new skills before they are expected to use them on real patients in their clinical experiences.
Whether students are working toward an associate's or a bachelor's degree, there are general education requirements that must be fulfilled. Many prerequisite courses may also satisfy general requirements, especially in the areas of English, math, and science, because they cover basic skills needed in many degree fields. Other requirements may include classes in history, literature, fine arts, and public speaking. Bachelor's degree students typically take most of their general education classes during the first two years before focusing on their major in their junior and senior years. Students in associate's degree programs, who usually have fewer general requirements to fulfill, typically space them evenly throughout their program.
Clinical experience is a major part of all sonography programs, typically beginning in the second semester and continuing until graduation. During clinicals, students visit a variety of health care facilities and practice the skills they are learning in class under the supervision of experienced sonographers. Beyond gaining expertise in using the equipment and interpreting the results, clinicals also give students valuable experience in interacting with real patients. Students should be aware that clinical rotations can be time consuming. Between clinical hours and class/laboratory hours, it is not unusual for students to be in school for close to 40 hours a week and have several hours of homework per night, so good time management is of the utmost importance.
The time it takes to complete a sonography degree depends on several factors, the most important of which is the type of degree sought. Associate's degrees generally take about six semesters, or 24 months, of full time study. Bachelor's degrees generally take about four and a half years, but students who already hold an associate's degree may be able to complete their bachelors in as little as 18 months. Students who need to take remedial coursework or who choose to attend school part-time may need more time to complete their degree.